Centre County man gets prison time for possession of child sexual abuse material
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Kennedy sentenced to 5–10 years for possessing sexual abuse images of five children.
- Arrest followed Kik report; account traced to Kennedy while he trained at Fort Jackson.
- Court orders 15-year sex offender registration.
A Centre County man was sentenced Thursday to at least five years in state prison for the possession of images that depict the sexual abuse of five children.
Christopher B. Kennedy, 27, of Gregg Township, was sentenced by Centre County President Judge Jonathan Grine to a maximum of 10 years in prison. He received credit for eight days served and is prohibited from having unsupervised contact with children.
Kennedy must also register as a sex offender for 15 years. The state Sexual Offenders Treatment Board found him to not be a sexually violent predator.
Kennedy was arrested in February after the messaging app Kik reported multiple videos depicting the sexual abuse of children were uploaded to its platform and shared with other users. The account and other information was traced to Kennedy.
A member of the Army Reserve, Kennedy was at Fort Jackson in South Carolina for drill sergeant instructor training when investigators found child sexual abuse material on his cellphone.
He pleaded guilty in August to five felony counts of possessing child sexual abuse material and a felony count of criminal use of a communication facility. Four felonies were dropped as part of the agreement.
Senior Deputy Attorney General Janie A. Swinehart sought a 7 1/2- to 15-year prison sentence, arguing Kennedy was a “cog in the wheel of a sexually violent cycle of the most tender and vulnerable victims in our society.”
The engaged father of two expressed his “deepest remorse” in a letter sent to Grine. He said he now understands the seriousness of his crimes and that the pain he caused his family is “one of the most devastating consequences of all.”
“They deserved better from me, and I am working hard to become someone worthy of their trust and love again,” Kennedy wrote.
He said he’s participated in a specialized sex offender treatment program since May, which he described as an essential turning point to “rebuild my life in a responsible and healthy way.”
“I am not the same person who made those harmful choices. I am learning, growing and working every day to ensure that my actions never again contribute to the suffering of others,” Kennedy wrote. “I understand that my words cannot undo the harm I have caused, but my goal is to prove through my future behavior, my continued treatment, and my commitment to accountability that I am serious about change.”
Defense attorney David. V Lampman II said Kennedy has no prior record. Eight people — including his parents, fiance, sister, mother-in-law and Army colleagues — supported Kennedy through letters sent to Grine.
His parents described him as a hardworking and dedicated father. Tanja Kennedy said she has seen greater accountability, maturity and determination from her son since he has undergone treatment and therapy.
Tabitha St. Clair said she also has seen “real change” in her fiancé.
“I fully support him, and I believe wholeheartedly in his ability to continue on this positive path,” St. Clair wrote. “He is a devoted father, a hard worker, a reservist and someone who is taking meaningful steps to improve.”